Bus times & tickets – Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai

The train network only goes as far north of Chiang Mai. If you want to travel from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai you either need to fly or travel by road. The journey by bus:

Takes 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes.

Costs between 229 THB and 495 THB (booked online) depending on which service you use.

Bus Times to Chiang Mai

The Green Bus Company provides a frequent and inexpensive bus service between the centre of Chiang Rai city to the bus station on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. There are also plenty of tuks tuks and shared songthaew taxis waiting at the bus station in Chiang Mai for onward travel within the city. The main bus station in Chaing Mai is 2.6 km from Chiang Mai train station and 4.8 km from the Thae Pae Gate in Chiang Mai’s Old City, which is near to many of the cheaper guest houses.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai

Service

Cost

06.15

09.45

Express

229 THB

09.00

12.00

VIP

350 THB

09.00

12.50

Express

305 THB

09.15

12.45

Express

229 THB

09.40

15.50

Express

305 THB

09.45

13.35

VIP

419 THB

09.45

13.35

Express

305 THB

10.25

14.15

Express

312 THB

11.00

14.30

Express

229 THB

11.15

15.05

VIP

419 THB

11.15

15.05

Express

305 THB

11.30

14.50

Express

266 THB

12.05

15.55

VIP

495 THB

12.15

15.35

Express

266 THB

12.45

15.45

VIP

358 THB

13.15

16.45

Express

229 THB

13.45

17.05

Express

266 THB

14.15

17.35

Express

266 THB

15.00

18.20

Express

266 THB

15.15

18.15

VIP

358 THB

15.30

19.20

Express

260 THB

16.00

19.50

VIP

419 THB

16.00

19.50

Express

305 THB

16.15

19.35

Express

266 THB

17.00

20.00

VIP

358 THB

17.00

20.50

Express

305 THB

17.25

20.45

Express

229 THB

17.30

20.50

Express

226 THB

19.30

23.20

VIP

419 THB

19.30

23.20

Express

305 THB

Express Bus: 48 seats, toilet, snack

VIP Bus: 24 seats, toilet, snack, meal

BuyTickets to Chiang Mai

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About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is an exciting, lively, diverse and historical town with something for just about everyone. There are three areas which are popular with foreign visitors:

Wat Phra Singh temple in Chiang Mai Old Town

Firstly, the old city contained with a four wall and a surrounding moat. This area is popular with younger visitors as a place stay and go out in the evening. The old city is where the cheaper guesthouses are located and the busier bars and nightclubs, such as the ever popular Spicy Nightclub on the Moonmuang Road and the fantastic and super cheap Jok Sompet Restaurant.

The riverside area near the night bazaar is very popular with older visitors and families. There are plenty of good restaurants here and the best hotels in Chaing Mai, such as the excellent and mid price range Porn Ping Tower.

A third up and coming area, to the north of the city, is the area around around the Nimmanahaeminda Road. The Nimmanahaeminda Road is the centre of modern ‘cool’ in Chiang Mai and is most popular with well to do, young and hip Thai visitors to the city.